The SPUR Student Success Back-to-School Drive provides new backpacks, school essentials and healthy snacks to children in Lynn, Marblehead, Salem and Swampscott. For the 2018/19 academic year, we anticipate supporting approximately 600 children.

HOW ARE CHILDREN SELECTED WHO RECEIVE BACKPACKS?

Children are identified by their case worker, school adjustment counselor or homeless education liaison as these professionals work closely with the children and know their personal circumstances. Among other considerations, effort is made to select children who are not receiving backpacks and school supplies from other groups and organizations; intentionally helping to distribute the abundant generosity of the season, providing as many children as possible a solid start to their academic year.

HOW CAN I HELP?

​* By August 18, 2018, Sponsor as many backpacks as you are able by clicking here. We have worked hard to secure competitive pricing and will be bulk ordering hundreds of backpacks and thousands of supplies to provide upwards of 600 children in our local communities with the new school supplies they deserve at the start of the year.
Options are:
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a K - 2nd grader ($56.35)
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 3rd - 5th grader ($62.48)
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 6th - 12th grader ($73.51)
Purchase a backpack ($31.22)
Purchase school supplies ($38.46)

Purchase a new backpack filled with supplies for K-2, 3-5 or 6-12. Additionally, options are available to purchase a bag only, or supplies.

I WANT TO HAVE HANDS ON INVOLVEMENT OR INVOLVE THE CHILDREN IN MY LIFE. HOW CAN I DO THAT?

We firmly believe in making opportunities for hands-on involvement as realistic as possible, at as wide of an age range as possible. Given the busyness of the summer season, after thoughtful consideration, we felt participation may be more realistic for busy individuals, families and businesses if we took the procurement for bags and supplies online, and then set up a time for members of the Lynn, Marblehead, Salem and Swampscott communities to come together to pick up a bag, fill it with supplies and healthy snacks, personalize each bag with a note of well wishes and affix tags to the bags so each school/program knows who each bag is for. The Jewish Community Center of the North Shore has graciously partnered with us in this effort and has donated space for this large scale "fill-a-bag" event to take place on August 18 - 21. Sign up here to volunteer.

I WOULD LIKE TO HELP BUT CAN’T COMMIT TO SPONSORING AN ENTIRE BACKPACK, CAN I STILL HELP?

Most definitely! We understand everyone's financial ability to give varies and want to say that your involvement, on any level, will be deeply impactful. If you cannot commit to sponsoring an entire backpack, consider purchasing a backpack or supplies exclusively from here; making a monetary donation to SPUR so that we may purchase items as needed for the drive; ask your dentist for a donation of toothpaste and toothbruses, or mail us a gift card that we can use to purchase healthy snacks for the students.

CAN A GROUP OR OFFICE SPONSOR A BACKPACK (or BACKPACKS)?

Sponsoring backpacks can be a great team building activity. Consider encouraging your workplace, social circle, classroom, sports team, school club or other group to team up and sponsor one or more backpacks. Also consider joining up as a team for our "fill-a-bag" time on August 19 - 21. Make it fun. Make it meaningful. (Signup will be available soon.)

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMS AND SCHOOLS SPUR WORKS WITH THROUGH THE DRIVE?

Visit our Recipient Partners page. You will be able to read a brief description about each of the wonderful programs and schools, as well as link to their websites for further reading.

TAX RECEIPT

A tax-deductible receipt will be mailed to the address provided at check-out when you sponsor a bag, purchase supplies or make a monetary donation.